The 3 Ps Of Success: Perception, Persuasion & Power

Being successful in business depends on many different factors, one of the most salient being luck. But those of you who are looking for a way to get to the top of the corporate ladder quickly must keep the following in mind: success is also quite formulaic, and following certain guidelines can greatly increase your chances of achieving it.

Success comes to those who are able to use perception, persuasion and power to their advantage. In other words:

Success = Perception + Persuasion + Power

Find out how to become a successful businessman by applying this crucial principle to your career.

Perception

Appearances are the barometer of life. There are no two ways around it. How you present yourself will set the precedent for how others will perceive, judge and deal with you. Every day you will encounter people you want to impress, be it superiors or potential clients.

Even those working under you need to be wowed in order to foster a fruitful work relationship. For you to make a grand entrance, you must appear the paragon of civility and self-assurance. And make no mistake about it — you only get one chance.

You must always be ready to make a good impression. Although this may require some effort at first, in time, it will come naturally.

The following tips should help you get started on the right foot:

Dress to impress Let's start with the outermost layer: your clothes. Go out there and buy the two best damn suits you can afford, even if you can't quite afford them. Wear a smart shirt and tie combination and get your shoes polished. Now that you have the gear, know how to use it. Always stand tall; not only will you look dignified, but your clothes will look that much more expensive.

Have a firm handshake I cannot stress the importance of a good hand shake enough. People will read volumes about you from it. Make sure your hand is dry — a wet, clammy hand is unpleasant and displays nervousness. The hands should connect where the thumb meets the index finger, and the handshake itself should be firm and solid.

Maintain eye contact Always look the person you're talking to in the eyes. Shifting your gaze is a sign of boredom or a short attention span. Looking down suggests insecurity. Maintain a constant, friendly gaze.

Be friendly You must be a source of pleasure to the other person. Friendliness is key, as it shows you are reasonable and approachable. An unbroken natural smile is all it takes. Maintain a professional distance, however; being friendly is not the same as being someone's friend. Show them due respect and they will reciprocate.

Speak eloquently Your speech has to be clear, crisp and to the point. Dotting your sentences with "ums" is the best way to lose your audience's interest, not to mention their regard for you.

Find out how you can convince others that your ideas are the best ones out there...